Moke's First Day.

Moke's First Day. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

A critically endangered baby gorilla was born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo this week. He is the first gorilla birth in nine years (and duh, he’s adorable).

Moke (“Little One” in Lingala) is likely to be a crowd-pleaser, but what other animals are arriving this spring? Is a new panda coming our way? We discuss what it takes to care for “zoo-borns” and how the weather is affecting zoo attendance.

Guests

  • Brandie Smith Associate Director of Animal Care Sciences, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute; @NationalZoo

Take A Look At The Zoo's New Arrivals

Gorillas Calaya and Moke

Calaya and her son, Moke, take a rest. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

Gorillas Calaya and Moke

Zookeepers say Calaya has been providing excellent care to Moke, nursing and cradling him closely. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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A Guam rail chick hatched at the zoo in January. Here, the chick is just one week old. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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The Guam rail chicks will be returned to Guam and release into the wild when they are older. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

Red Pandas Nutmeg and Jackie Debut

Nutmeg and her son, Jackie--both red pandas--made their debut on the zoo's Asia Trail this February. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

Red Panda Jackie Debut

Jackie spends the majority of his time climbing trees. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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At the Great Cats habitat, you can now find a solitary Amur tiger. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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Pavel, a 10 year-old Amur tiger, is the first of his endangered species to debut at the zoo in 70 years. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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Niko, a sloth bear, is settling into his new habitat. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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Niko is three years-old and, like most three year-olds, enjoys playing with toys. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

Electric Eel

The electric eel exhibit opened in Amazonia this fall. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

Electric Eel

Electric eels can generate up to 800 volts of electricity. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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Spike, a male Asian Elephant, has just arrived at the Smithsonian. Zookeepers are hopeful he will breed with the female elephants. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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Cheetah brothers Donnie and Copley arrived at the zoo in December. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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Male cheetahs band together in groups called "coalitions." Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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An Andean bear named Quito arrived at the zoo in November. He came from a zoo in Germany. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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A critically endangered Dama gazelle was born at the zoo in September. Dama Gazelles are native to Chad, Mali, and Niger. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

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Not new, but always the biggest draw at the zoo is Mei Xiang, the giant panda. Photo Courtesy of Smithsonian's National Zoo

The Amazing Birth of Moke

Calaya, a 15 year-old Western Lowland Gorilla, gave birth to her son Moke (pronounced “Mo-Key”) on April 16, 2018.

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